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KINYARA Sugar Works Ltd workers have resumed work after calling off a three-day strike that had paralysed work. The sugar factory workers laid down their tools and were demanding that TSB/Bookertate releases the provident fund money, which it had been deducting from their salaries.
Others say they also wanted to know the fate of their gratuity, now that the management of the sugar company has changed hands.
TSB/Bookertate is a consortium, which has been managing the sugar company before it was sold to the Rai Group.
However, the strike was called off following the intervention of government officials and KSWL board. The government officials rushed to Kinyara factory last week to quell the situation.
State Minister for Privatisation Rukia Chekamondo, Privatisation Unit Director Michael Opagi and the KSWL board rushed to Kinyara to ascertain the situation.
PU spokesman Jim Mugunga said the matter was resolved when the officials addressed the workers. "There was a misunderstanding over provident fund. The workers seemed not to have got enough information about it," Mugunga said. "The so called strike did not actually paralise the entire factory, but it was the unionised workers who were affected".
Mugunga said the workers and the officials resolved that they be given all the information they want regarding the provident fund. That they should also be allowed to elect their representatives on the provident fund, and that they should not be victimised since the strike was not called for.
The workers had argued that they have sought audience with TSB/Bookertate to iron out the provident fund issue, but that the management has failed to address them. They allege that the management has misused their money.
"Efforts to consult our authorities have become futile. Recently, we received anonymous statements, which were not signed saying the money is there, but it did not specify where the money was. So we have decided to lay down our tools," a worker who did not want to be named said.
Inside sources from KSWL say that top company managers have been holding meetings saying workers should continue with their duties but that the situation seems to be getting out of hand.
During the strike, the KSWL General Manager Mr Jack Mclean had declined to comment on the situation. "I am in the middle of a very busy situation. I am unable to say anything. I am sorry, but thank you for calling," he said.
Earlier, the Masindi District Police Commander, Mr Michael Mugabi had confirmed the strike was on saying he had deployed anti-riot police in the area to avert any acts of violence.
However, workers said they had no intentions of being violent."What we only want is for them to tell us where our money is full stop," another worker said.
Some outgrowers were also worried about their sugarcane, which was reportedly cut but had not been paid for. "My five hectares of sugarcane was cut on Sunday but up to now, it has not been collected," Mr Abirinego Akandumba, an out grower said.
KSWL was last week offered to Rai Group. The Divestiture and Reform Implementation Committee (DRIC) approved the offer of 51 per cent government shares in KSWL to the RAI Group on July 27.
The RAI Group, a Kenyan and Mauritius based agro-forestry company, offered the highest bid for KSWL. It beat two other bidders. The RAI Group offered an actual price bid of $33.5m (about Shs62b).
TSB/Bookertate- a consortium, which includes Industrial Promotion Services Ltd (Kenya) and Transvaal Sugar Ltd (South Africa), offered a bid price of $27,446,840 (about Shs50b), while the Madhvani Group/Kakira Sugar Works offered $23,750,000 (about Shs44 billion).